Residents of Orange Farm, Stretford and Lakeside in the south of the City no longer have to endure long water interruptions when Joburg Water works on the infrastructure following the construction of a multimillion-rand reservoir in the area.

The 33.5 mega litre concrete reservoir was built for R90 million over 28 months. It now supplements water supply to the Orange Farm South Water District. This is to reduce disruptions in water supply to high-lying areas of the region.

Addressing residents during the official launch in Orange Farm on Wednesday 24 January, City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Environment and Infrastructure Services Councillor Nico de Jager said it formed part of the multi-party led administration’s bid to improve and renew ageing infrastructure.

“It is my pleasure to join you this morning on the occasion of bringing an adequate and healthy water supply to this community. As the City of Johannesburg, we are committed to being an inclusive and pro-poor government that places the upliftment of forgotten communities at the top of our agenda in order to give dignity to our people,” said MMC De Jager.

Joburg Water’s Managing Director, Ntshavheni Mukwevho, said the additional capacity has increased water storage from nine hours to 27 hours. Construction of the second Orange Farm reservoir provided black contractors with a substantial portion of the work. Sixty four skilled professionals were employed and an additional 14 semi-skilled labourers, also from around Orange Farm and surrounds were hired.

Two Orange Farm residents were absorbed by Murray and Roberts, the reservoir’s main contractor, as part of its incubator programme and were trained to be general construction foremen with the possibility of working for the contractors on a full time basis.

MMC De Jager said the City has water infrastructure backlog of R13 billion. “Unfortunately, theft of water infrastructure takes money from our plan to repair and renew. About 4 000 brass water meters were stolen during the 2016-2017 financial year.”

He further mentioned that the City has set aside R1.9 billion towards upgrading Joburg’s 181 informal settlements. “Fifty one informal settlements are to receive upgrades to water and sanitation, access roads, street names and electricity.”

Ward Councillor Simon Motha urged residents to conserve water. “Water is a scarce resource. The problem is not only restricted to Cape Town. We need to ensure that every drop counts.”